Living up to one's trust

Uma knew what Hugo wanted to know: why she didn't want to tell him about "The Firm" and Tracey, why she had repeatedly concealed these things from Hugo in a sneaky manner, why she worried that he wouldn't believe her, and whether she had plans to use him, whether she still chose the opportunity even after knowing about Tracey's suppression of Hugo...

Hugo had given absolute trust to Uma, but she betrayed that trust. When she chose to stay at the Sydney party without telling Hugo that Tracey Jacobs and Martin Baum were trying to offer her a performance opportunity; when she chose to leave Hugo in Malibu and secretly slip back to Los Angeles for an audition; when she still chose "The Firm" even after vaguely suspecting Tracey's scheme; when she chose not to reveal the truth in the face of Anthony's slander and accusations; when she chose not to admit it despite Hugo's repeated probing... the outcome was already predetermined.

Hugo's condemnation was not for her acceptance of the audition for "The Firm". Things like "The Firm" would always exist in the entertainment industry, and even if it wasn't Tracey this time, Uma might have to work with other producers who disliked Hugo in the future; this was an inevitable result. What Hugo condemned, tested, and saddened him was her concealment and her use of him. Uma knew there was no need for explanation because her actions were the best explanation: she didn't trust him, she was using him. Any flowery explanation would be in vain.

A mocking smile blossomed on Uma's face, and her eyes filled with madness met Hugo's eyes filled with pain. "So, no more questions?"

Hugo looked at Uma in front of him, so familiar, the way she appeared at his doorstep that night; so unfamiliar, the way she stubbornly and firmly made her choice on New Year's Eve. "Yes, one question," Hugo said with difficulty, "During the time we were dating, how much of it was real?"

"Hehe," Uma laughed at Hugo's question, the mockery and disdain between her eyebrows ruthlessly striking Hugo. "You are really too naive, oh, God, you look like a fledgling bird that just entered this circle." Uma's ironic words excited Joseph and Charlize in the room, they wanted to rush out, but Karl and Alex respectively stopped them, allowing Uma's words to continue.

"The moments I spent with you were all genuine, including today when I brought food to your house. Can that console you? You're really foolish. Things have already reached this point, and you still ask such a question. Clearly, when emotions conflict with careers, I choose the latter. It's that simple. In Hollywood, there's no such thing as sincere emotions. Even after marriage, career is still a part of the marriage, and love will never be everything. As long as it's possible, love can also be a stepping stone for a career!" Uma raised her delicate eyebrows slightly and looked at the innocent Hugo in front of her. Hugo, who had been in the entertainment industry for ten years but still maintained a childlike heart. Suddenly, Uma felt sorry for herself. She had seen the reality clearly, but she had lost herself.

"Perhaps you haven't considered that emotions and careers don't have to conflict. I don't mind you taking the role in "The Firm" but as for what I mind, you are smart enough to understand." Hugo smiled, but the pain in his heart surged like a mountain collapsing and the sea pouring in. Uma was stunned by what Hugo said. She knew what Hugo meant—it was trust, and she had betrayed Hugo's trust. It was that simple.

"However, I still find consolation in the fact that I'm not a complete fool. It seems there's still hope for me." Hugo chuckled lightly. "So now, please leave."

Uma looked at Hugo in front of her, carefully examining him as if they were meeting for the first time today. Dark circles hung under Hugo's eyes, and his amber eyes shimmered with a faint light, revealing the turmoil in his heart. The surging emotions made Hugo appear unusually strong yet fragile, and his handsome brows still carried a hint of sunshine, which was Uma's favorite scent.

Then Uma lowered her head and smiled, tucking her hair behind her ears. She took a deep breath and turned to leave without any hesitation, taking confident strides forward. She didn't look back, but when she reached the door, she paused, silent for a few seconds. All that could be heard was the crisp sound of the key hitting the glass bowl and then the sound of the door opening and closing. Other than that, there was nothing left.

When Hugo heard Uma's footsteps stop at the door, he lifted his head and quietly watched in the direction of the entrance. He didn't know what he was expecting, whether he hoped Uma would turn around and explain, "I didn't use you," or whether he expected Uma to angrily shout at him, "What's wrong with choosing my career?" Or perhaps he hoped Uma would turn back and say, "Can we talk about it again?"

But Hugo knew that he was simply hoping, foolishly hoping for Uma's figure to reappear. It was a foolish and pitiful hope. Because he didn't wait for Uma to turn around; instead, he heard the sound of the key falling into the glass bowl. Suddenly, Hugo remembered the scene when Uma asked him for a copy of the key to his home.

It was on the last day of 1992 before they went to the party. Uma felt that every time she came, she had to knock on the door, which was inconvenient. So she suggested getting a key for herself. Hugo readily agreed as it wasn't a matter of living together or opening up his private space. It wasn't a big challenge for Hugo. He gave his key to Uma first, planning to get a spare key later.

Hugo furrowed his brows slightly, trying to recall Uma's expression when she received his key, but it was vague. He couldn't form a clear image, but he vaguely remembered the joy and happiness between Uma's brows.

Hugo couldn't help but smile, feeling powerless and helpless. He began to doubt whether those beautiful scenes were just his wishful thinking, whether they had ever truly existed. Before New Year's Eve, everything was fine, without any problems. Even during the first half of the Sidney family's New Year's party, things went smoothly—awkward slow steps, mistletoe kisses... Hugo had thought someone would hold his hand and step into the new year with him, but unfortunately, he was wrong.

Uma didn't even want to explain, she just coolly chose to let go, preserving her dignity as she left. But it left Hugo in a more pathetic state—he still hoped for Uma's defense, hoped that she would argue with him. Was he too naive? Why wasn't Uma willing to fight for this relationship, even if it meant accusing Hugo of being selfish and not considering her? If she explained, got angry, argued, at least it would show that she was willing to do something for this relationship. But Uma did nothing, she simply walked away without any attachment.

Was it because this relationship was not worth Uma's effort to fight for? Or was it because he was too foolish and too childish to see the reality clearly? Or was it because this relationship had been a manipulation from the very beginning?

Standing in place, Hugo felt so ridiculous, so laughable that he even found himself absurd. What was he expecting? Or was his trust simply too cheap? So Hugo laughed, laughing at his own foolishness and naivety. He had been in society for ten years, yet he still held onto such unrealistic dreams. It was truly speechless.

Joseph and Karl stood at the door, watching Hugo leaning against the dining table like that, and they burst into laughter. The smile gradually blossomed and uncontrollably spread, but there was no sound. This desolate and ironic smile made Hugo appear normal, but in this moment, it made people feel so uneasy.

"Hugo." Joseph called out, and Hugo turned his head, still wearing that ironic smile. "What's wrong with you?"

Joseph, Charlize, and Alex also approached from a distance, frowning as they looked at Hugo, who seemed like he was possessed by a demon. "What are you laughing about?" Charlize spoke up, disliking this version of Hugo. His mournful smile made Hugo appear so disheveled, something she was not accustomed to.

"Laugh... I'm laughing at myself." Hugo laughed as if he were gasping for breath, speaking in fragments.

"Hugo Lancaster! Have you gone mad?" Charlize angrily shouted, startling Joseph and the others. They looked at Charlize with concern, then at Hugo, afraid to provoke him any further, fearing it might worsen his negative emotions. However, they didn't expect Charlize to have no reservations at all, truly shocking them all.

Hugo remained silent, nodding continuously while still smiling. "Stop it! Do you know how pitiful you look? She's just a woman. If you truly like her, go after her. Standing here, pretending to be pathetic, what kind of man are you?" Charlize said in an exasperated tone, launching a barrage of words at Hugo.

Hugo's smile gradually froze on his face, and the expressions of Joseph and the others also froze, as if they had been choked, even their breath stopped.

The color drained from Hugo's smile, leaving only a pale and feeble curve at the corner of his mouth. "I was laughing because I thought I was rational, giving her a chance to explain. But she didn't even want to explain. Ha, my so-called rationality is truly worthless. Maybe, in her eyes, this relationship isn't worth the arguments and explanations. So if I were to chase after her, it would just make me even more pitiful. Therefore, I plan to pretend to be pathetic and show it to all of you, at least so that you don't worry too much."

These words extinguished the anger burning inside Charlize, and she looked at Hugo with aching eyes. Any relationship is irrational, but Hugo and Uma, they both faced this issue with reason, and this kind of rationality was like a sharp dagger, brutally exposing the emotions that existed between the two of them, leaving nothing behind. Hugo's trust, Hugo's expectations, they seemed even more laughable.

Love without arguments is not love because there is no need for arguments. This was Uma's most deadly blow to Hugo.

"Hugo..." Charlize didn't know what to say, she just looked at the Hugo before her, who had lost his smile. Although he was trying to maintain composure, a sense of desolation quietly permeated his brow.

"I'm fine, really." Hugo murmured softly, then took a step and walked back to his room. "I just need some time to be quiet, to think carefully, to think."

Charlize and the others watched Hugo step by step as he returned to his room, his frail figure disappearing at the doorway, leaving only the faint sound of the door closing, echoing in the morning sunlight.